HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the appointment of Gary L. Gurian as the Secretary's Regional Representative for Region III, based in Philadelphia.

In his new role, Gurian will be the Secretary's direct representative responsible for the guidance and coordination of HHS policies and programs in the region. The area includes the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

"Gary Gurian is a talented public health administrator with more than 20 years of hands-on experience," Secretary Thompson said. "He brings a wealth of administrative knowledge and health expertise that is such an integral aspect of public health."

Gurian is the immediate past Deputy Secretary for Public Health Programs at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, a position he held since 1995. Overseeing a $485 million budget and more than 600 employees, Gurian was responsible for the administration, coordinating and planning for all statewide public health programs through the bureaus of Communicable Diseases, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Drug and Alcohol Programs, and Family Health and Community Health Systems.

Gurian also held director of health positions at the Montgomery County Health Department and the Allentown Health Bureau. Additionally, Gurian provided leadership in several programs at the Illinois Department of Public Health, including scientific and administrative positions with the Community Chronic Disease Program, Diabetes Program, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Communicable Disease Control Program.

Early in his career, Gurian was a public health representative in the Venereal Disease Control Program at the Peoria County Health Department in Illinois.

He assumes the regional post today.